Up Next

Third wave of asbestos victims.

Third wave of asbestos victims.

The first wave mined asbestos and the second wave - generally tradespeople - worked with manufactured asbestos. The third wave brought it into their homes, mostly do-it-yourself home renovators exposed while fixing up the family home.

Sam Backo's legacy

Dr What Video to close

After 33 years of trading Dr What Video will be closing its doors and moving to an online model.

It is on this same faded carpet that the Crisford family will spend their final month serving the good customers of the eastern suburbs who still support Dr What in Bondi Junction.

"In 100 years' time people will try and explain the concept of a video store to someone and they wouldn't have a clue," said Neal Crisford, who has owned Dr What for more than 30 years with his wife, Carol, and son, Daniel.

Neal Crisford and his wife Carol in their Bondi Junction video store Dr What which is closing its doors after 30 years business. Photo: Wolter Peeters

From the advent of Beta and VHS to the introduction of DVD and Blu-ray, the film rental market has always been dictated by changing technology.

"Back in '83 the VHS player was still over $700," said Mr Crisford. "As more products came out, more people bought machines."

DVD introduction revitalised the industry in the late '90s, but it meant a hefty million-dollar investment for the Crisfords, because they had to replace their VHS library with DVDs.

In its lifetime, Dr What has become a hallmark for film in Sydney. There has been no shortage of actors and directors who have been its customers. Keanu Reeves, Ewan McGregor, Sam Neill and even former prime minister Kevin Rudd have graced the blue carpet.

The local customers, however, have been the real stars for the Crisford family.

"We've had quite a community build up," said Daniel Crisford, who has worked at the store since he was eight years old. "We're up to three generations of families that have come in."

Ms Crisford said it was touching to see the community's reaction to the store's closure.

"We've had people cry," she said. "Even though they might only come in now once every six months, before they were coming in weekly. You do get to know them. It's sad, but things change."

Acknowledging the changes in the industry, the Crisford family will take their knowledge of film online, but the majority of their vast collection of titles will go to Quickflix, a streaming and delivery service.

The hope is that the loyal customers of the bricks-and-mortar Dr What will follow the family online.